The Earl in My Bed: A Forgotten Princesses Valentine Novella by Sophie Jordan

was too much. Her head rolled side to side on the bed. This was too much.
    “Oh,” she squeaked as he lodged himself the final bit, burying himself deeply inside her.
    “Are you . . .” he croaked.
    She nodded, a deep burn building between her legs. “Please, Jamie . . . don’t stop!”
    His mouth slammed over hers as he plunged in and out of her body. It was wild and uninhibited and like nothing she had ever dreamed. He took what he needed, pounding into her ruthlessly and she didn’t care, because she wanted it, too. Needed it. Needed him .
    Her hips rose to meet him and she cried out as he drove harder into her, gripping her hips as if she were a lifeline, the only thing that kept him grounded to earth. Her heart swelled even as she reminded herself that this wasn’t love. Only lust. A broken heart lay in wait if she let herself believe this was more than that.

 
    C HAPTER E IGHT
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    T he instant Jamie felt her body tremble and arch under him in the throes of her climax, he knew that he would stop at nothing to convince this woman to marry him.
    His own climax followed fast and fierce. He reveled in the sensation of himself spilling inside her, knowing nothing would please him more than creating children with her. And that’s when it became blindingly clear. He was in love with Paget Ellsworth. He loved her. He would love only her for all of his days.
    She breathed heavily beneath him, the tips of her breasts pebble-hard and rubbing his chest in the most arousing way, even after he just spent himself inside her.
    He propped himself on his elbows and stayed just so, buried in her, never wanting to leave.
    “Paget,” he began, determined to hear her agree to become his wife. The need burned within him. He simply knew that he had to marry this woman, to wake up beside her every morning for the rest of his life.
    “You should go.” She pushed at his shoulder.
    “I’ll leave. Once I hear you say you will marry me.”
    A long pause fell, the only sound their rasping breaths and the rush of his blood in his ears. She had to agree. “As wonderful as this was . . . it’s not enough, Jamie.”
    With a curse, he stood. He still wasn’t enough. That’s what she meant.
    He paced in front of her bed, dragging a hand through his hair, desperation rising hot and ragged inside him. He wasn’t his father. He wasn’t Brand or Owen.
    She slid to the edge of the bed, clutching the counterpane to her nakedness.
    “I wonder,” he began, “if your father would agree. Things have moved farther than a kiss, wouldn’t you say? Will he still think you need more time to decide or would he take one look at you and think you’ve already made your decision?”
    “You wouldn’t do that,” she whispered, staring up at him with her dark eyes, enormous and horrified.
    He held her gaze for a long moment before moving for the door, desperation driving him.
    “No!” She launched off the bed and jumped between him and the door. “Very well! Fine! I’ll marry you,” she hissed, the fury in her eyes killing something inside him.
    He couldn’t do this. He didn’t want it be like this. He didn’t want her this way. Shaking his head, he turned from her and snatched up his clothes. “Forget it. Never mind.”
    She tugged at his arm, urging him to face her. “Never mind?” she echoed, her voice incredulous . . . and furious. Her body fairly hummed with energy and he suspected she wanted to strike him. “I accepted your proposal, Jamie. What do you want from me?”
    He flung his clothes to the floor and hauled her against him. “I want you to love me like I love you!”
    If possible her dark eyes widened further. She trembled in his arms, her mouth falling into a small o.
    With a curse, he released her, feeling like the worst sort of fool. He’d done it. Uttered the words that would be sure to drive her from him. Just like anyone else he had ever tried to love, she couldn’t possibly want him in return.
    Then she